Dear brothers and sisters,
We held our regular monthly services at the parish on the first weekend of August. Glory to God for a beautiful weekend of services and fellowship at our parish of St Ignatius of Antioch in Belfast!
Please see the photos from the services here: https://saintignatiusbelfast.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/SaintIgnatiusChurchDocuments/EjD7uUJMp59Bu_ps5Ibzd2IB_EWbXRjMlDHFXW2meQoJYA?e=veS08t
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan, we began the extend weekend of services with the Paraklesis to the Most Holy Mother of God on Friday, 1st of August – the first day of the Dormition Fast (1st to 15th August), when It is a traditional to celebrate this service on every weekday. It was a great joy to see so many faithful gathered in prayer, despite it being the end of a long working week. May the humility and purity of the Most Holy Mother of God touch our hearts, and may she intercede for us before her Son, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.
The Friday service was followed by Great Vespers on Saturday, and then Orthros and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday. After the Liturgy, we shared a fasting parish lunch together.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, we marked two special moments:
First, we blessed the Phanouropita—a bread offered in remembrance of St Phanourius the Martyr, who once again visited a member of our community. This is the third time this year that, by God’s grace, St Phanourius comes to the aid of our parishioners. Glory to God, and may St Phanourius continues to intercede for us!
Second, we said a special farewell to Athanasius-Colin and Arlene, long-time members of our parish since 2007, who are soon relocating to Scotland. Their faithful presence, love, prayers, and service in many lay roles over the years have been a great blessing to our community. They will be deeply missed. May God grant them Many Years!
Upcoming Services in September:
– Saturday, 13th September – Great Vespers at 17:00
– Sunday, 14th September – Baptisms and Chrismations at 10:00 , Divine Liturgy at 11:00, followed by parish lunch
That weekend we celebrate one of the major Feasts in the Orthodox Church – Exaltation of the Holy Cross.